Arbouche et al., 2009. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 21 (12)

The use of the various varieties of maize cultivated in Algeria in the food of the ruminants is subjugated with the determination of its food value. The environment, the cultivation techniques and the level of fertilization, influenced the nutritional value of raw materials harvested. The imported maize whose nutritional values are listed in the European tables, have lower rates in total nitrogenous materials (3 points) and of lignine (0,3 points) with regard to those produced locally. The levels of fodder units are low for local varieties but the rate of intestinal digestible proteins are more important. Their uses for the establishment of the food formulae and their nutritive values, will allow to encircle better the expected productions and to be more precise in the calculation of the rations of the local livestock.